Man who denies alleged Carlisle kidnap and rapes goes on trial

[A] MAN accused of raping and kidnapping a woman in Carlisle has gone on trial at the city’s crown court.

Luke Thompson, 24, denies claims of physical and sexual violence made by the woman which date back several years.

Opening the case today (MON), prosecutor Kim Whittlestone alleged Thompson had kidnapped the woman at a Carlisle flat. It was further alleged that he raped her on the same night. “He was being forceful as she was telling him ‘no’,” Miss Whittlestone alleged to jurors.

When the woman later went to police, she also claimed there were previous rapes by Thompson and also alleged sexual assault.

A second female had alleged to police, separately, that Thompson had been controlling and coercive towards her. It is alleged he used violence, deprived her of sleep and controlled when she ate.

Thompson, of no fixed address, was arrested and interviewed by police. And Miss Whittlestone said: “In essence, he denied any wrongdoing at all.”